Westwood 1915

The Red River Lumber Company

On September 1, 1981, I had an opportunity to visit the Minnesota Historical Society at St. Paul.  It just happened to be a coincidence on that date as it was first day that restrictions were lifted on the T.B. Walker and Red River Lumber Company’s papers.  In addition, I have been fortunate to meet with Harriett Walker Henderson, the 100 year old granddaughter of T.B. Walker.  Of note, Harriett, the daughter of Clinton Walker, was present when the first tree was felled at Westwood in 1912.  With these and other unique sources yields a wealth of material never presented.

In the late 1860s, T.B. Walker ventured into the lumber business in northern Minnesota.  That laid the foundation for what would become Walker’s empire. During those early years, Walker had many partnerships, one of which in 1884 created the establishment of the Red River Lumber Company.  In addition, along with another business partner, Healy Cady Akeley, they established a town and lumber mill—Akeley, Hubbard County, Minnesota.  The Akeley facility operated from 1899 to 1915.           

It was, however, in 1889 when T.B. Walker looked to the west, more specifically the forests of Northern California.  By 1894, Walker began acquisitions of timberlands there.  By 1905, he owned an estimated 900,000 acres in Lassen, Plumas, Siskiyou, Shasta and Tehama Counties.           

Walker was stymied by the development of these lands due to the lack adequate railroad facilities.  Walker’s original concept was to establish several sawmills through this vast forest domain.  Two particular events changed those plans.  One was the purchase of John Crouch lands at Mountains Meadows, Lassen County.  The other was an agreement with the Southern Pacific Railroad.  
 

In 1912, plans had been drawn to establish a company town and sawmill in Mountain Meadows.  On Tuesday, September 10,1912, T.B. Walker’s son, Clinton, with his two small children, Brooks and Harriett and  W.B. Carlin, construction superintendent of the mill and town, did the ceremonial cutting of the first tree at what would become the company town of Westwood.      

For the next thirty-two years Walker’s Red River Lumber Company controlled the town of Westwood and its environs.  While it took the region to adjust to the economic impact of this development, there were also the political clout that had far ranging effects too. In 1918, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors had criticized the Company for not allowing a speaker who was against the prohibition movement to assemble in Westwood.  Company Manager, R.F. Pray informed the Board not to meddle with the Company’s policies. Pray then continued had they not urged their employees to vote for the passage of the bond measures for a new County Courthouse and Hospital, those facilities would never have been built.

The conflicts were not confined to politics, but that inside the family, too.  When Red River established Westwood, T.B. Walker began turning over the management to his five sons—Gilbert, Fletcher, Willis, Clinton and Archie.  Each son had their own ideas as to how the company should be run and the power struggles were notorious. Gilbert was the first casualty who suffered a mental breakdown.  Clinton, the maverick, broke ties with the Company in 1913 over the management of Westwood, but would be forced back into the Company during its financial crisis of the Depression.  Fletcher and Willis had their battles as to how Westwood should operate too, while Archie remained in Minnesota to soothe the bankers and investors who provided the necessary capital for the California operations.

Of course, there are the labor issues.  Take for instance, as documented in the Company’s archives is that of employee badge No. 96.  This person was hired in 1922 as a Company spy to mingle with the employees looking for anyone in regards to union organizing.

The American Legion Hall

On July 15, 1918, Westwood resident Clyde A. McKea died in combat in France, making him the first casualty from Lassen County of World War I. In the fall of 1919 a new national veterans organization was formed—The American Legion.

On June 20, 1919, a group of World War I veterans organized the McKea Post, named in honor of their fallen comrade. On October 4, 1919, they received their charter and became officially known as the American Legion McKea Post No. 80. The new organization struggled to attract members and by 1924, its membership roster consisted of a group of ten men.

Big changes for the McKea Post and Westwood in general were on the horizon. In the fall of 1924 Red River announced its intention to complete its sawmill and manufacturing plant with the installation of a Plywood/Veneer Plant. The McKea Post happened to be a very fortunate beneficiary of this decision. Red River needed a venue to showcase its new veneer panels.

In December 1924, Red River announced they would build a hall for the American Legion. The site selected was at 409 Ash Street. This would be no ordinary hall, but an impressive three-story structure, making it at that time the tallest building in Westwood.

On June 2, 1925, the McKea Post held their first meeting in the new hall. An open house was delayed for a month, until the furnishings arrived. When opened to the public, the visitors were impressed. The first floor consisted of a large meeting room, which was utilized for banquets and dancing. The ceiling was adorned with massive wooden beams, and the room was paneled with Red River's newest product—Paul Bunyan's California Pine Plywood. The second and third floors were bachelor apartments. Income from the apartments provided the funds necessary to operate and maintain the building.

The building's life as the American Legion Hall was short-lived. In 1933, as part of Red River's re-organization, it was converted into a hotel known as the Blue Ox Inn. That is another story, for another time.

Our Lady of the Snows

When Westwood was established, its Catholic community was a part of the Sacred Heart Parish—it had only been created in 1912 and covered the territory of Lassen and Modoc counties. The first pastor was Father P.J. O'Reilly. There seems to be some confusion as to when the first Mass was celebrated in Westwood. On December 12, 1913, it was reported in the Lassen Weekly Mail: "Father P.J. O'Reilly made the trip to Westwood to attend the spiritual wants of the Catholic Church in the new lumber town." However, under the heading of Remarks in the Parish Death Register, Father O'Reilly wrote, "Mass was celebrated in Westwood for the first time by Rev. P.J. O'Reilly on 19 April 1914 in the school house situated near the present fire department. Mass is now said in the school situated on the hill facing Delwood Street." Father also wrote, "The first Catholic funeral that was held in Westwood was on July 24, 1914. The internment was made in the new cemetery, portion of which viz the North East section is devoted to the use of the Catholics who die in and around Westwood for Catholics only. This cemetery is 3 1/2 miles from Westwood." That internment was for Jose Alvarez, a 22 year-old millworker who died from typhoid fever.

In 1920, after the completion of the Auditorium, Mass was held in that building. However, the Catholic community desired to have a church. In the summer of 1920 an ambitious campaign was launched to raise $4,000 for this enterprise. Red River initially agreed to match dollar for dollar of the money raised.

On October 6, 1922, Father P.J. McCarthy succeeded O'Reilly. Two days later, Father McCarthy gave sanction to the movement to build a church for Westwood. With that blessing the parishioners worked frantically to make the preparations to build their new church. Red River provided a lot on Cedar Street.

On December 1, 1922 ground was broken and work commenced immediately on the church. Mike Pappa from Red River's carpentry force was in charge of the construction, and the volunteer labor consisted both, Catholic and non-Catholic. Even dealing with harsh winter weather conditions the new edifice was completed in exactly twenty working days. On New Years Eve 1922, the first Mass was celebrated in the new church named Our Lady of the Snows. Total cost: $6,100.

Mill Pond Tragedies

The Westwood millpond, like Fletcher Walker’s colossal sawmill was substantially larger compared to other sawmill facilities. A complete description of its size, holding capacity and hot pond feature can be found in Volume One of the Red River series entitled:  The Early Years.

A unique aspect associated with the millpond, it was the scene of numerous tragic deaths—none of which were work related. Those familiar with millponds, since they are a relic of a bygone era, would find it peculiar that fishing, log rolling and swimming were popular activities in Red River's early years.